Geosocial diversitet under folkvandringstiden: Idéer utgående från Medelpad

The article discusses the way in which internal economic, social and religious structures and organisation during the Migration Period are reflected by archaeological remains in part of the county of Medepad, Central Norrland. The author shows that different parts of the landscape were centres for different functions within society. In four coastal valleys in close proximity in the northern part of Medelpad, each valley had its own societal profile. The Tunadal Valley may have had a judicial-religious orientation, while two of the neighbouring valleys, Ljusta and Västland, were totally different. The first exhibited a typical agrarian and the second a very aristocratic milieu. The valley of Västland contains several large mounds, including the largest in Central Norrland, and several continental imports including bronce vessels and glass objects. The northernmost valley, Timrå, had a clear military orientation. The author also discusses the different ways that the richer grave mounds are laid out. From the large, kingly mounds of Högom and the few others that have a diameter greater than 40 m, a wide spectrum of grave types is discussed, including those of hird-leaders, successful warriors and cult leaders.